177 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Brainerd Lakes region surrounding Nisswa, Minnesota features numerous lakeside camping options within a 30-minute drive radius, ranging from primitive tent sites to full-amenity RV parks. Gull Lake Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provides boat-in and drive-in access with both tent and RV accommodations. Crow Wing State Park Campground offers a mix of secluded tent sites and more open RV sites with electric hookups, while Birch Bay RV Resort in Nisswa itself caters to those seeking full amenities. The area's camping landscape is characterized by pine forests, abundant lakes, and a mix of state, federal, and private campgrounds that collectively support various camping styles from primitive tent sites to luxury cabin rentals.
Camping seasons generally run from April through October, with most facilities closing by mid-November. Summer weekends often reach capacity, particularly at waterfront sites, making advance reservations essential during peak season. According to one camper, "Gull Lake is a federal campground on a beautiful lake, close to Nisswa with lots of things to do and good fishing." Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, especially in wooded areas, with one reviewer noting "hellish mosquitoes" at Crow Wing State Park. Winter camping is limited, though some year-round options exist. Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger signals near towns and potential dead zones in more remote areas.
Many campgrounds feature direct lake access, with fishing opportunities being a significant draw. The Paul Bunyan Trail connects several camping areas, allowing cyclists to access Nisswa's downtown amenities. As one visitor noted, "Rode our bikes on the Paul Bunyan Trail to Nisswa and had some ice cream at The Chocolate Ox. Did a little shopping and got a beer at the brewery." Site privacy varies considerably across the region, with state forest campgrounds typically offering more seclusion than private RV parks. Campgrounds with both wooded and lakeside sites tend to receive the highest ratings, with visitors particularly valuing clean facilities, shade trees, and proximity to water recreation. Most campgrounds accommodate pets, though some private resorts have restrictions.
"Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well."
"Tent camp here once and a while, but finally got around to officially doing the hiking club trail."
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Federal campground on a beautiful lake. Close to Nisswa,Mn. Lots of things to do. Good fishing lake."
"Minnesota in the summer the parks are very full of large RVs. Our teardrop fits inside one. Nice clean campground. Friendly rangers. Nice showers."
from $32 - $50 / night
Check Availability"What a beautiful, peaceful sight in the woods next to the lake. Sit back and relaxing camping at it finest"
"Only drawback was the lake was too mucky and weedy to swim in but has to be a great fishing lake. The owner's were awesome. Seriously great family rv campground."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"There are about 10 sites that are next to the water giving you access to fishing, swimming and docking a small watercraft. Most of the sites are surrounded by trees. Which is great for privacy."
"This a rustic campground with no showers and vault toilets. some sites are open and next to each other. there are RV people who think that because it’s rustic that they can run their generators all day"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"The cabins are my favorite because of the lake views, proximity to the bathhouse, and heat/AC units. Cabin #5 has the best unobstructed views of the lake. Cabins have WiFi."
"A great little campground right near the town (easy to bike in for coffee or beer) but it feels like you're deep in the northwoods! Some sites are better than others in terms of privacy."
"Sites are huge, very dog friendly, quiet, ice and firewood on site, cute little lake with gorgeous sunsets, huge kiddy play area on water, free kayak and paddle board use, nice little onsite store."
from $60 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The campground was tucked away from the highway, so it was very quiet and peaceful. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with full grass."
"Great location, with large sights. Out sight was surrounding by wild Raspberries so that was also a bonus."
"And, this campground is close to the fun downtown in Crosby and the great bike trails and parks there. The Ironwood spot I was in is also especially private, so highly recommend it!"
from $57 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Small campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities."
"Rode our bikes on the Paul Bunyan Trail to Nisswa and had some ice cream at The Chocolate Ox. Did a little shopping and got a beer at the brewery. Great location for lots of activities."
"Lots of amenities in the surrounding area. Good golfing. Good times"
ScoutGreat location, with large sights. Out sight was surrounding by wild Raspberries so that was also a bonus. They had a scavenger hunt/ and campground bingo that was DIY that my daughters loved. 10/10 campground, would definitely recommend.
ScoutWe have been going up to Camp Holiday for about 5 years now and staying in the same campsite. We just love this place. We have the same neighbors every year so it is like having a family reunion each time. It is so clean and quiet and the sunsets are absolutely beautiful. It is so nice just sitting by the lake listening to the loons. It is hard to leave at the end of the week! Thank you Camp Holiday for giving us such a great week every year!
GuideDrove 2 hrs up to this spot to find no trespass and then we got my 4x4 stuck had to walk 2 hrs to get help..do not go here!!
Rangerwas due for some deep woods after battling mosquitoes around bodies of water the last week. Geared towards ATV and dirt bike riding. Easy to get to and great for star gazing. Room for 3 or 4 rigs. Level spots are there if you look closely.
RangerGps puts the site smack in the middle of a soybean? field. The Dyrt needs to get with it on it's Minnesota sites. Phft.
GuideI stayed here last summer (2025)and am planning on staying here this summer as well.
The park is smaller than it's sister park Mille Lacs Kathio, but it definitely has some things that are better about it!
I stayed in the Maplewood campground, which I recommend if you like quiet and privacy. The sites are further apart and give you a more "in the woods" feel. The other campground (lake view) is more traditional RV style camping where the sites are fairly close. However they have some sites (small and close together) that have views directly of the lake, if that's your thing.
I stayed at site 96 which was verrrrry deep and felt pretty private. It's backed up to the woods so you don't have anyone behind you. It has a nice tent pad, and plenty of space for canopies or other equipment. It's a short walk down to the water too, where there's a fishing pier really close by, and a large beach a little further down. I went in very early June and the mosquitoes honestly weren't terrible yet, but the caterpillars were everywhere! There were caterpillars all over my tent, in my sandals I left outside my tent, on my car, etc. When I found one I just relocated them to a safer area in the woods. Lots of deer, you can hear owls at night, squirrels etc. It is bear country, but I didn't see any bears. I kept my food locked up in my car.
One night it was kind if windy and you could hear the waves on the lake from the tent, so that was kinda cool.
I have t mobile and had decent service here as well.
GuideI had a very...interesting experience at the camper cabins this week! I stayed at the cabin #3 this week, Monday through Thursday (3 nights). Monday and Tuesday were awesome. I was the only one there on the whole side of the road, and it was soooo peaceful.
Early Wednesday morning (around 3am)is where things stopped being peaceful. A really bad storm developed (that I had no idea was coming). It was probably the worst storm I had ever experienced in my life. Five trees fell in the yard, one small one hitting the cabin. One tree even fell a couple of feet behind my car, blocking me in. After taking a short walk when the sun came up, I realized the damage was everywhere in the park. I was seeing downed trees all over every single trial and road. I emailed the park office which opened at 8 that I was trapped, and they cleared all the trees from the office to where I was (almost three miles away) and was getting me out by 9:30. I was so impressed with how fast they worked. Amazing job! They offered to give me a refund if I wanted to go home early (I didn't, because I was still really enjoying my time there). I will definitely be back!
Without the whole storm fiasco, here are some pros and cons:
Pro *the cabins are gorgeous and cozy. *they have electric and heat (a gas burning stove heats the cabin, how cute!) *there's a screened in porch allowing you to enjoy the weather without bugs. *the vault toilet is really close, but there is also flush toilets with a shower in the campground, which is like a five minute walk, or a very short drive. *the mattresses on the bunk beds appear to be newer than some cabins I stayed in, that being said, a foam mattress topper isn't a bad idea if you struggle to sleep *the trails are gorgeous. The cabins aren't far from the lake either. There's a visitor center that's currently closed for renovations (2026) but I think will be open next year. There's a short interpretive trail behind it too. *there's a fire ring and picnic table outside.
Cons (there aren't many!) *I think being separated from the main campground is both a pro and a con, depending on your personality. If you like solitude then it's perfect. If you enjoy being where everyone else is, then it's a con.
ScoutSmall campground but nice location with it being close to shopping and other activities. City park is just across the parking lot and includes a beach, fishing docks, boat access and the bathroom/shower amenities. Be warned that the map online may not seem quite accurate. They camp spots seem much larger and spaced apart more then they actually are. Even the host agreed with that. We picked a site that seemed like it would be plenty large enough for our camper and truck but in reality it was barely big enough for our camper which is 31 feet long. So be aware of that when booking. My kids enjoyed the beach area when it was nice enough out. Bathrooms are what I would call a typical public bathroom. Could use some updating such as repainting and better mirrors over the sink area and I didn’t see a single trash can in the bathroom either. The shower area is basic but does the job. It’s a single person room basically but there is no interior lock so if someone has a key and you don’t hear them knock they can enter and with it being just a room as soon as that door is open it’s not private. All in all I would stay there again but I would definitely be more prepared and pick a better location for a site.
TravelerAbsolutely love this campground. 2nd year for my family. We plan on coming back for many years to come. This place is completely family oriented. Very well maintained. Wonderful staff members. Just overall a wonderful experience each and every time. I highly recommend a visit if you want to make memories that will last a life time.
The Nisswa area offers camping facilities across a diverse landscape of pine forests and mine lakes ranging from 1,200-1,300 feet in elevation. Most campgrounds in this region of central Minnesota have a higher concentration of RV sites than primitive tent spots, with several facilities built around reclaimed mining pits that now serve as recreational lakes. Winter camping options are extremely limited, with most sites closing by mid-October.
Mountain biking at Cuyuna Country: Access world-class single-track trails directly from True North Basecamp, where one visitor noted, "I wouldn't call it glamping but it's definitely not backcountry camping in the least. We go here for Mtb trail riding trips for all these features. Close enough to town to bike in, trail access from the campground."
Fishing from campground docks: Many camping spots near Nisswa, Minnesota offer shore fishing without needing a boat. At Red Rider Resort, "My kids had fun fishing for panfish off their dock and although we never made it, they have a swimming beach that is a bit down the MTB access trail."
Historical exploration: Learn about early settlement history through interpretive trails at Crow Wing State Park Campground, where campers can "officially do the hiking club trail. Love doing a sunset hike, this trail is just over two miles, all along the river, with pretty much continual sunset views if you take the trail East to West."
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers repeatedly mention site size as a key factor. "The sites are huge, very dog friendly, quiet, ice and firewood on site, cute little lake with gorgeous sunsets," notes a visitor to Birch Bay RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards, especially bathroom facilities. At Cross Lake Recreation Area, visitors were "pleasantly surprised at how CLEAN this campground is! VERY well maintained and the campsites are big and spacious."
Lakefront camping: Water access remains the most sought-after amenity. "We stayed in site 29 with electric and it was large but the only down fall is the firewood for purchase is next to the site, so there is a bit more foot traffic walking by. The boat ramp was nice and a short walk over the dam from the campground," reports a camper at Gull Lake Recreation Area.
Reservation timelines: Popular camping spots near Nisswa fill extremely quickly during summer months. One camper advised, "Book early on Recreation.gov - we reserved 6 months out for memorial weekend" at Gull Lake.
Rustic camping options: For those seeking a more primitive experience, Rock Lake Campground offers a less developed alternative. "Nice variety of campsites. There are about 10 sites that are next to the water giving you access to fishing, swimming and docking a small watercraft. Most of the sites are surrounded by trees."
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds, despite their natural settings, experience road noise. At Cross Lake, "You do hear road traffic which takes away from the seclusion feeling that most desire when camping. However, it's short walk to convenience stores and several restaurants."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Amazing, Family-owned campground, just far enough from 'the cities' to get away for the weekend, without spending too much time in the car. Clean bathrooms, nice sized park for kids, pool," notes a visitor to Crow Wing Lake Campground.
Swimming beaches: When selecting a campsite with kids, look for designated swimming areas. "The lake front sites are small width wise but your view of the lake makes up for it and helps the site feel more spacious," according to a Crow Wing Lake camper.
Water equipment rentals: Some facilities offer on-site watercraft. At Crow Wing Lake Campground, "They have paddleboards and funyaks to rent, you can bring your boat to fish or fish off the dock. The grounds and bathrooms were clean."
Hookup placement challenges: Some campgrounds have utilities positioned for specific RV types. At RV Resort Village, "Biggest negative is that the utility hookups are designed for a Class A Motorhome so for my trailer, they were on the wrong side. Had to get a longer water hose and extension for sewer line....NOT IDEAL."
Pad materials: The type of parking surface varies significantly between campgrounds. "The pads are gravel, have plenty of space, and are also very well maintained," notes a visitor to Gull Lake Recreation Area, while RV Resort Village features "concrete slabs, making set-up fast and easy."
Weather considerations: The camping season in this region is strictly limited by weather. Most RV camping spots near Nisswa, Minnesota close between October and April, with some like Wildwedge Golf and RV Park operating only from "May 1 to October 1."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any RV rental options in Nisswa, Minnesota?
While direct RV rentals in Nisswa itself may be limited, the area has several RV-friendly campgrounds that accommodate visitors with their own or rented RVs. Minnesota National RV Park is a newer facility built next to the Minnesota National Golf Course with gravel pads and full hookups (50 amp, water, and sewer). RV Resort Village offers a quiet, beautifully landscaped setting with concrete slabs for easy setup, full grass coverage, and clean facilities. For RV rentals, check with local outdoor recreation businesses in the Brainerd Lakes area or consider renting from companies in nearby larger cities before heading to Nisswa.
What state parks are located near Nisswa, MN?
Several state parks are within driving distance of Nisswa. Crow Wing State Park is under two hours from the Twin Cities metro area, making it a perfect weekend getaway destination. It offers drive-in camping and includes the Canoe Landing Campsite for paddlers. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park features the Petaga Campground with private, spacious sites surrounded by trees. The sites offer a good balance of shade and sun, with convenient bathroom access. Other nearby options include Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and Father Hennepin State Park, the latter situated on Lake Mille Lacs with lakeside sites, boat access, and updated facilities.
What campgrounds are available in Nisswa, MN?
Nisswa offers several excellent camping options. Gull Lake Recreation Area is a federal campground on a beautiful lake with good fishing and many recreational activities. Located close to Nisswa, it provides easy access to town amenities. Wildwedge Golf and RV Park features large, shaded sites situated on a well-maintained golf course. The park offers mini-golf, a maze, and direct access to the Paul Bunyan Trail for biking adventures. Other nearby options include Birch Bay RV Resort, which offers full hookups for RVs, and Red Rider Resort, which provides multiple access options including drive-in and boat-in camping.
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